Monthly Archives: January 2011

In my recent newsletter for Bygone Basics, I announced a contest. And so, I thought (it is almost always dangerous when I do that) that I should bring the same information to this blog.

In November, I introduced the new home of Bygone Basics. To recap, it is an old manse built in 1874 and was the parsonage that was completed with the building of Ferry Memorial Church on Old Channel Trail in Montague. Noah Ferry died heroically in the Civil War and his mother and brother comissioned the manse and church in his memory.
We’re still moving in while recapturing the place. There’s a lot of work to be done in the house. For example, we are creating a private heritage kitchen separate from the home’s main kitchen for Bygone Basic Experiences. But for now, we use the big main kitchen for our guest Experiences until that work is completed.
I thought upon first seeing the house that it was female and got the clear impression of a grand dame, “fallen” a bit. In fact Betty Boop came to mind with her arched eyebrows and pursed lips, ready to reward you with a kiss.

The new home of Bygone Basics....do you see Betty Boop?

Now the contesting part comes in….I want a name for the house, but with such history and character, I contest that the name “Betty” just won’t do.

Here’s where YOU come in….

Please, submit your names to me at ICan@bygonebasics.com. The winner of this naming contest will receive $30 toward a Bygone Basics Experience OR a loaf of homemade bread and a jar of jam to go with it all made in our kitchen. (HINT: Take the Experience and MAKE the bread and jam!) Plus, you get boasting rights for naming it.
I’m leaving the photos of the front and side of the house in the newsletter and including a few more as well. To help your naming process here is some information to keep in mind:

The house is not lavish victorian in style, it has great lines,original wood floors, and didn’t waste resources on unecessary flourish. (Perfect as it is in keeping with the home food preservation, no-waste lifestyle we are promoting)

We are planning a heritage immersion style bed and breakfast in its future.

We have a sense of humor.

Valerie is sure the home is female.

There are whitetail deer EVERYWHERE. (Wondering how a garden will fare…)

We have 8 children (6 girls/2 boys) plus 2 son-in-laws, 1 daughter-in-law, 1 fiance’ and 2 grandsons. Additionally, 2 girls we consider daughters as they’ve been with our family since age 4. (it’s ok, I’m thinking it too…THAT’S A LOT OF ESTROGEN in one family)

There are other pictures of the house in previous posts and in the I Can newsletter posted on our www.bygonebasics.com website.

See the standard sized door in front....the windows dwarf it.

Please submit your name suggestions. Any and all will be considered – by January 25 via email

and the winner will be announced in the February newsletter. Feel free to email any additional questions as well.

I found it next to impossible to do a blog the last bit of December. I’m quite frightened by how fast time passes. Before I know it, it seems I’ll be 80 or so!
We are (mostly) all moved to our new “digs” in Montague. It went much faster than expected. Which, I suppose, is in keeping with my time flying lately!
Husband John is busy hitting one task after another and now, with the new year, must tackle the BIG ONE. He will gut out a front room in our new-old home and install a private kitchen for Bygone Basics. We are using a kitchen that came with the house (there were two). We wouldn’t dream of gutting a room in such a fine old house, but someone beat us to it and put in a drop ceiling, stick-on floor linoleum squares, 2 goofy inner walls and a really badly done bathroom. So….putting in the heritage kitchen will be an improvement. It will be a few months before this project will be complete! So we continue to use the big main kitchen in the home for a while.
Speaking of kitchens, Bygone Basics had it’s biggest Experience yet. We had a family of five adults and we did home pressure canning and made three different types of pie from basic ingredients….and had a blast doing it. Check out the pictures on our Facebook page. Click here to go check it out now.

Many hands make a FUN time in the kitchen!

Jorgensen family with some of their products made in the Bygone Basics kitchen

Bygone Basics

Amanda’s Bequest Bed & Breakfast

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Join me in the Bygone Basics kitchen

Want to participate in heritage kitchen skills? Baking, canning, soap making, candle dipping...and more in a 140 year old home but with a very unique kitchen designed to immerse you in how it was, but equip you with how to go home and repeat what you learned here. Click on the logo above (www.bygonebasics.com)

This is what I do!! Join me. :) It is always fun and a lasting memory.

Drop me a note at ICan@bygonebasics.com to check for scheduling as these sessions are tailored to YOU and YOUR group and are private.

Since we are also a heritage farm stay Bed & Breakfast, you can stay here too! www.amandasbequest.com Click on the logo above.